"Yesterday, in Russia, Belgium played a great game against France. Belgians are generally not too chauvinists but, frankly, Emmanuel, yesterday the French team was very lucky," Michel told French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the NATO summit.

France beat neighbouring Belgium 1-0 in St. Petersburg on Wednesday morning to reach the World Cup final, where they will face either Croatia or England.

France defender Samuel Umtiti scored in the 51st minute with a near post header from forward Antoine Griezmann’s corner to secure his side’s narrow victory.